Baku:The New Azerbaijan Party has expressed strong disapproval of statements made by Oktay Saral, chief adviser to the President of Turkey, and members of parliament from Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). These remarks have been perceived as defamatory and slanderous towards Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, the New Azerbaijan Party has exercised restraint in response to the dissemination of false information about Azerbaijan by media outlets and social media platforms in Turkey. This restraint was due to the longstanding partnership between the New Azerbaijan Party and the AKP, as well as the historical bonds of brotherhood between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Turkey. However, the party now finds it necessary to publicly address the increasingly aggressive and systematic nature of these campaigns, particularly given the involvement of high-ranking Turkish officials.
The New Azerbaijan Party categorically rejects attempts to misrepresent Azerbaijan’s relations with Israel and use these ties to levy political accusations. Azerbaijan maintains normal interstate relations with Israel, grounded in international law and mutual interests. The party also reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s consistent support for Palestinian rights, emphasizing the country’s humanitarian assistance and diplomatic support for Palestine.
Furthermore, the New Azerbaijan Party highlighted Azerbaijan’s contributions to Islamic solidarity, noting the country’s commitment to mutual respect, equality, and solidarity within the Islamic world. The party emphasized that no state should impose its will on others or interfere in their internal affairs.
The New Azerbaijan Party criticized the statements by Turkish officials as populist and irresponsible, arguing they contradict the spirit of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations and could create unnecessary tension. They reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to secularism and religious freedom, in line with both Azerbaijani and Turkish constitutional principles.
In conclusion, the New Azerbaijan Party urged the AKP government to refrain from using sensitive religious and political issues as tools for manipulation, as this could harm the unity of both Turkish and Azerbaijani societies and damage bilateral relations. The party called on Turkish political circles to respect Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and internal affairs, in line with the principle of “one nation, two states,” which emphasizes mutual respect and independence.